Magic Flute

Xiaofeng Hou, born in Beijing on February 20, 2002, is a tenor specializing in classical voice. He began his vocal and piano studies at the age of 4. Xiaofeng completed his undergraduate studies at the China Conservatory of Music and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Classical Voice at the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC). He has won numerous international vocal competition gold medals and performed at prestigious venues like the Golden Hall in Austria and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in China. In addition to his performance career, Xiaofeng has extensive teaching experience, having taught at Tsinghua University and the Ministry of Education of China, as well as participating in various music education volunteer programs.

Amanda Miklos, soprano is a recent graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. While at Belmont, she was a part of the Belmont Opera Theatre program where she performed roles such as Zerlina from Don Giovanni, Meg from Little Women, and Amelia from Amelia Goes to the Ball in the opera scenes production. She also performed the roles of Third Woman in Ruth by Ronald Beckett, Maguelonne in Viardot’s Cendrillion, and Gigi from Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. Amanda has also been abroad with the summer program Opera Lucca where she sang and performed roles in various opera scenes such as Così fan tutte, La finta giardiniera, Orfeo ed Euridice, and Suor Angelica. Other solo performances include the Classical Singer’s recital held at Belmont University where she was one out of ten students selected to perform two solo pieces in McAfee Concert Hall. Amanda was also selected to debut and record the role of Lady Macbeth in an original opera titled Heaven and Hell written by composer Laura Nobili.

Soprano Melanie Athans has just completed her first year as a Master’s candidate at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of the esteemed César Ulloa. In May, she made her SFCM debut as Girl 3 in Errollyn Wallen’s ANON. Melanie has also sung the partial roles of Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflӧte and Lady With a Cake Box in Argento’s Postcard From Morocco in scenes concerts at the conservatory. She was recently honored to receive an Emerging Talent Award from the Kurt Weill Foundation at the Lotte Lenya Competition. Melanie graduated with her Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Long Beach in May 2024, at which she performed the role of Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus and sang Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 as the winner of the Conservatory Concerto Competition. Melanie has received awards and grants from The Theodore Presser Foundation, Opera Buffs, the South Coast Symphony, and the Dramatic Allied Arts Guild.

Mia Rago is lyric soprano from Western Springs, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and an Italian minor from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. During her time in college, Mia was a vocal student of Dr. Mark Whatley and performed opera roles such as Romilda in Handel’s Serse and the title role in Ronald Beckett’s Ruth. More recently, in Sicily, Italy, she sang Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto and Suor Genovieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival. Her opera scenes roles include Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, and Servillia in La Clemenza di Tito. She has participated in The Orpheus Vocal Competition where she was a semi-finalist and has advanced to the second round in both the Classical Singers Competition and NATs competition. Mia has sung in master classes and coachings for David Gowland, Jack LiVigni, Kamal Khan, Stephen King, and John Holiday. She is currently a voice student of Dr. Abigail Santos. Mia is also an indie pop singer-songwriter and released her debut EP in 2020 and is in the process of releasing singles off her debut album which is set to be released in August of 2025. Mia aims to bridge the gap between opera and alternative music through her classical training and musical intuition showing that both genres can appeal to a wider audience.

Angela is a second year graduate student at Belmont University where she received her undergraduate degree in Music Education, and is currently studying under Dr. Savanna Sokolnicki. This past summer she spent her time with Opera Lucca performing the role of Zita in Gianni Schicchi. In the fall, Angela performed the roles of Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and Jo March in Little Women for the Belmont Opera Scenes production “From Page to Stage.”

Most recently, Angela performed the role of Witch in Hansel and Gretel in Belmont Opera Theatre’s spring production, and recently was selected for Belmont’s Graduate Honors Recital. She also performed with the Belmont Wind Ensemble as a soloist in their performance of James Stephenson’s Symphony No.2 Voices. Additionally, she repeatedly works with the Belmont New Music Ensemble to showcase living composers’ new works.

When she isn’t performing, Angela can be found spending time outside with her husband, Zach, and their two corgis, Phoebe and Finn. She also loves to bake and enjoys a good fantasy novel.

MAJOR PERFORMANCES

06/2021

Second Prize of the Art Song Category Youth Group A in the 9th International Open Vocal Competition

04/2021

Gold Award in the 10th Royal International Artistic Vocal Competition

Asia Final

12/2020

Gold Award of Vocal Music-Bel Canto Category of the Young Professional Category of the 7th Macao International Arts Open Vocal Competition, China Region

03/2020

Third Place of Boy's Group Bel Canto Category in 9th Rome International Music Festival China Audition, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Wenxin Sha is a Chinese Baritone who has performed in numerous operas, including Die Fledermaus, Cosi Fan tutte, Don Pasquale, Die Zauberflöte, Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni. He played Falke, Don Alfanso, Malatesta, Speaker of Temple in these recent years. Wenxin has played Commissioner of Madama Butterfly in Opera Connecticut and Speaker of Die Zauberflöte in Jordan Hall and MassOpera. Sha graduated from East China Normal University in 2019, from University of Hartford in 2021, and from New England Conservatory of Music in 2023. He is attending his doctoral study at LSU. Sha is studying with and Professor Robert Grayson and Professor Paul Grove at LSU.

Korean-born soprano Boyoung Park possesses a powerful and warm voice paired with a bright personality. She developed a passion for music from an early age, participating in children’s song recordings.

During her undergraduate studies, she performed in several operas, including The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and in student productions of La Bohème and L’elisir d’amore. Boyoung debuted at the Youngsan Art Hall and Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, Korea.

She began her Master’s studies at Peabody and played the leading role of Milica in Ana Sokolovic’s opera Svadba. Also, she portrayed the Princess in Peabody Opera Theatre’s production of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges.

Boyoung earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Dankook University in Korea and received a second Master’s degree at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University with Baritone Randall Scarlata. She is currently pursuing a Graduate Performance Diploma (GPD) at Peabody Institute and is set to complete the program this May.

Nora Spring is a soprano, originally from Deer Lodge, Montana. She is earning a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the Catholic University of America under the guidance of Gustavo Ahualli. Recent performance credits include: La Bohème (Musetta), the 2023 and 2024 Christmas Concerts for Charity at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Soprano Soloist), Serse (Atalanta), and selected scenes from Die Zauberflöte (First Lady). In addition to her studies in opera, Nora is a cantor and choral scholar at various Catholic parishes in the D.C. area.

Kathryn Oettel currently lives in the Whatcom County area near Seattle, Washington. She is a soprano and also plays piano. She sings in the genres of opera, sacred, classical, and classical crossover music.

Kathryn was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4. This diagnosis didn’t discourage her from pursuing her interests, it in fact helped lead her to finding out what she excelled in. Kathryn started piano lessons at age 5 and was discovered to have perfect pitch by her elementary music teacher. At the age of 12, Kathryn was introduced to the world of opera by Deborah Ogle, her first voice teacher. Throughout high school, she competed in piano and solo contests, receiving highest marks, earning participation in the Washington State Solo/Ensemble competition.

Kathryn studied at Western Washington University and has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music performance, majoring in voice. During her education, she has performed as a chorus girl for the Pacific Northwest Opera in numerous operas such as Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni, and the Tales of Hoffman. Her first principal role was Blonda in Mozart’s Abduction of the Seraglio in WWU music program, Opera scenes. She competed in WWU’s Aria and concerto competitions resulting to the top three during her fourth year.

Kathryn’s first professional performance was the soprano role in Oakland for the Solano Chamber Society’s production of Handel’s Messiah. She now currently studies with Edward Cook.

Meredith Kessler is a Soprano from the St. Louis, Missouri area. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Southeast Missouri State University while simultaneously participating in the piano studio where she regularly performed. She performed roles such as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro and Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore. As of May 2025, she earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Webster University under the direction of Dr. Jacob Lassetter. During her masters studies she performed roles such as Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica and Belinda in Dido and Aeneas. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Chicago Summer Opera Program and their production of The Magic Flute.

Kate Gayman is a Canadian soprano beginning her fourth year of studies this fall under Torin Chiles at the University of Western Ontario. Kate is currently completing her Bachelor of Music Degree with Honours in Voice Performance and a minor in dance. During her time at Western she has performed as Sally in Die Fledermaus, Harry in Albert Herring and was a part of both the 2023 and 2025 Opera and Musical Theatre Gala. She has also worked with director and producer, Stephen Young, playing Isabel Bruce, in multiple episodes of the Dickson and Bruce historical mystery television series.

Kayleigh Sprouse finds artistic liberty and expression through operatic and recital performances. Her most recent operatic performances includes the premiere of Tim Holt’s opera, "Nobody is ever missing" with Mind on Fire at the Voxel Theater in Baltimore, MD and Cavalli’s "La Calisto" as Diana with Peabody Opera at the Baltimore Theater Project. Kayleigh performs and curates many recitals, including The Cecilia Collective’s recital promoting the lost lieder of Josephine Lang, a program titled Yearning showcasing Schubert’s lieder and contemporary works by Wang Jie and Biedenbender, and the TENET Trailblazer’s Baroque recital Harmony of Hope. Sprouse’s career focuses on ensemble works and collaboration, exploring how multiple solo voices can create one artistic idea. Kayleigh currently performs with Peabody’s NEXT Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Beth Willer, exploring new and old works such as David Lang’s "the little match girl passion", Saariaho’s "Nuits, Adieux," Bach’s "Brich dem Hungrigen," Ockeghem’s "Salve Regina," and many more. She regularly performs with the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Choir as a core member in Baltimore, MD and performed a program of Purcell anthems, odes, and operas at the Chorworks Young Artist Program. Kayleigh is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy under Ah Young Hong at the Peabody Conservatory and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Christopher Newport University under Dr. Rachel Holland.

Maya Rose Brown is a rising second-year soprano pursuing a bachelors degree in Vocal Performance at Oberlin Conservatory studying under Katherine Jolly. She recently made her professional debut as the Shepherd in Palm Beach Opera’s Tosca. Additionally Maya was in the Palm Beach Opera Studio Program for two years. Her other operatic credits include Lucy in The Telephone, Laeticia in Old Maid and The Thief, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Euridice in Orpheè et Euridice, La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, Chorus in Omar, and The Lamplighter in The Little Prince. She would like to thank her professors and coaches for their guidance, and her family for their unwavering support.

Now in her third year with Chicago Summer Opera, Isabel appeared as Spirit in Dido & Aeneas and in the Ensemble of Carmen. As a recipient of the CS Music 2025 All-State Singer Award, Isabel will be attending Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard during the summer of 2025. Previously, Isabel was a member of the Voice & Opera Program at Interlochen Arts Camp performing in scenes as Maguelonne from Cendrillon and as a member of the Ensemble in Iolanthe and The Elixir of Love. As a high school sophomore, she has also twice participated as a member of the Honors Performance Series Choir performing pieces of world music at Carnegie Hall, New York. Prior to larger stages, Isabel has been seen in community musical theater performances as the Queen in Frozen, Jr., Kelsie in High School Musical, Jr., and the Store Clerk in Legally Blonde, Jr., and as an ensemble member in Treasure Island and a short form adaptation of The Lion King. Isabel is excited to return to CSO for another season.

Lila Weber is a high school senior at Arizona State University Prep Digital (ASUPD). Attending online high school has allowed her to participate in many musical activities, including volunteering at the Musical Instrument Museum, and leading weekly sing-alongs for memory care residents. She has sung with several auditioned Phoenix-area adult choirs, and has been a featured soloist. She studies voice under Gail Dubinbaum and John Massaro.

Aurora Kondruss is a 16 year old mezzo soprano who is passionate about pursuing a career in the classical realm of singing. It will be her debute on the opera stage during this production. She’s had a vast experience in different music generes throughout her life including jazz, pop, music theatre, and even rock. Although she is new to the field she is hard driven towards achieving her goals as a classical singer and showing the world what she is capable of.

Wang Zi, Prince,Bass

Graduated from the Vocal Opera Department of the Central Conservatory of Music in China, and is now enrolled in the Professional Performance Diploma of the Vocal Department of Manneschine, 2024 Semi-Finalist of the 2024 Première Opera Foundation, and has previously portrayed Gremlin in Yevgeny Onegin, Sarastro in The Magic Flute, and Melisso in Arsina.This time he will be portraying Simmone in Gianniszkyky, and Sarastro in Magic Flute. Simmone in Gianni Schicchi, and Sarastro in Magic Flute.

Zane Brolin is a bass from Madison, WI, currently completing his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Oklahoma City University. Zane has previously appeared as Falstaff in Nicolai’s Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, William Jennings Bryan in Moore’s The Ballad of Baby Doe, and Simone in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

Hailing from Wisconsin, Washington, D.C. - based baritone Ethan Nott is a young performer looking to share the joy of opera with the world. A recent graduate of The Catholic University of America, he has worked with several opera companies and programs, including a previous appearance at Chicago Summer Opera (John Sorel/Secret Police Agent, The Consul) and Music on Site (Ensemble, Notes on Viardot). He looks forward to working among friends in the great city of Chicago again!

Ryan Kelly is a baritone currently studying music education and opera at Texas State University. He is a rising senior and has been involved with Texas State opera since his freshman year. With a strong passion for performing and education he seeks to continue his growth as a performer with Chicago Summer Opera. Mr. Kelly hopes to attend a master's program after graduation focusing on vocal performance and pedagogy.